Most
fatal home fires occur between midnight and 8 a.m. when people
are asleep. Toxic gases and heat, which can get over 1000 degrees
rise and can travel ahead of the actual flames. When your smoke
detector sounds, you may have less than 2 minutes to get out and
stay out. That's why your family needs an escape plan.

What to Do

Draw a sketch of your home. Mark at least 2 ways to get out of
every room. The first way should be the door, and the second way
out might be a window. If the window is higher than ground level,
you may want to purchase an emergency escape ladder and keep it
near the window.

Decide
on a meeting place outside where everyone can be accounted for.

Practice
twice a year.

How to Practice

Begin
with everybody in Bed. Someone should press the "test button"
on the smoke detector.

Everyone
should roll out of bed. That way, you stay below any heat or smoke
that may be present in the room.

Don't stop to get any possessions. Don't even stop to call the
fire department. That should be done from the safety of a neighbor's
house after you get out.

Check the door to the hallway for heat. If it is hot to the touch,
or if smoke prohibits you from escaping through the door, use
your second way out. If you must escape through smoke, crawl low
under it where the air is cleaner and close the door behind you
as you leave.

Once outside, go to your designated meeting place where everyone
will meet up to make sure everyone is safe. Have someone simulate
calling the fire department.

Practice
twice; the first time use the normal exit. The second time, pretend
the door is hot, and use the second way out.

Afterwards,
talk about the drill. Make any changes to the plan if necessary
and rehearse them.